Bags and other handmade goods

Tag Archives: tote

I love it when I can use my creativity to explore and create beautiful new colors! Usually I make custom orders to my patrons specifications, or I make a repeat of something I have made before, and don’t get me wrong, I LOVE making that perfect bag for each client, but every once in awhile I have a little time in between, and some beautiful fabric that ignites that vision!

Lately I have been going through some fabrics I got from another wonderful artist! I have had the pleasure in making bags for a wonderful interior decorator and she has provided me with last seasons sample home decor fabrics to use if i want. Some of these are absolutely gorgeous! And they have been really fun to work with!

When working with these I usually have to do something small as the pieces are sample squares, and never duplicated but sometimes can coordinate. It is fun to look at a small square of fabric and visualize how this will become a beautiful purse with straps and lining and pockets etc…

My first choice to work with was this beautiful dark gray/brown linen with a maroon embroidered design on it! Being an embroiderer myself I love the details and elegance in this fabric and wonder how beautifully regal a full size drape might be, but I am satisfied with my 20″ by 20″ square and begin to cut. I found a matching satin for the top of the purse which brings out the shininess of the embroidery thread adding glamor to the otherwise dullness of the gray linen. For the interior I found a glittery maroon damask fabric I have which is also very elegant. Custom fabric button and some leather straps for finishing touches and this chic, one of a kind, small ladies purse is ready for listing!

My next exploration was another embroidered piece of fabric. This one was narrower and long and I was able to use it in 3 pieces (2 pieces folded as front and back, and the other 3rd as a pocket inside) to create this beautiful kisslock wallet clutch. I am very pleased with my kisslock wallet clutches, as are many customers on etsy 🙂 and this one is especially beautiful with the way the embroidery is centered in the frame. It has an off white linen and the thread is silver so it has a very beautiful bridal quality to it. These wallets are smaller and thinner than clutches, so I would not consider them to be a full clutch, but they do fit all your cards, cash and in some cases a phone. I do make card pockets inside but the pockets for this one are limited, since the turquoise I used for the lining was also one of the sample fabrics. This has got to be my favorite shade of turquoise though (how many shades are there?) It’s vibrant and beautifully paired with the silver on the outside!

Sometimes when I go through fabrics I immediately visualize what it will become. That was the case for these 5 squares of fabric with a coral design. Each was a different color and I wasn’t sure how it would come together, but I knew it had to be beach bag of some sort. After matching colors that look good together and pairing it with a neutral chevron print it all came together perfectly!

As I will be away for a bit, I wanted to be able to show off my custom made to order teardrop hobo bags outside of my etsy store. Any of these, or other fabrics, can be custom made in time for (or before) Christmas, but not before November.

This month there has been a Purse Palooza, full of Purses, patterns, bloggers, and prizes! One of these events included a prize for the best voted purse.If you have a Flickr account, please vote for my 3 purses 🙂 Vote here

This was for all purses made between June 4th through the 11th, and after the 11th voting is ON! Here are my entries!

This first one is intended to be a diaper bag, but I have not yet made the changing mat to go with it. I love how practical this is with the adjustable straps for a shoulder bag or messenger back, and then detachable back pack straps! It is about 13″ by 12″ and had 3 convenient pockets plus a key chain ring inside. You can see the full listing in my etsy store.

My next bag is from Amy Butler’s reversible market tote pattern. I love how big and convenient this bag is! It is 22″ high, Almost 17″ across on the bottom (little less on the top) and has a 5″ depth. The straps are long enough to sling over your shoulder. The fabrics used are Amy Butlers Disco flower in tangerine and the full moon dots also in tangerine. On the disco flower side I have a contrasting pocket.You can read more about this bag or purchase it here

The 3rd bag I made is probably my favorite! This is an extra large beach bag also with one of Amy Butlers patterns, and fabrics by Joel dewberry. Thisbag is extremely large, but still fun to carry around. I stuffed 4 full size towels (3 bath 1 beach) and a 2 liter and it still was somewhat roomy! I added extra pockets inside since I was making this one for me to enjoy. 5 pockets plus a key chain clip! The pattern had some pretty complicated detail work around the handles, but nothing I can’t conquer, and in the end it looks FABULOUS! I am glad you also agree. 😉

This is a great wreath that will stand the tests of both time and weather! It will last you years without ever wilting, and it can also get wet, frozen, or hot without it getting ruined (but not too hot).